OTAY MESA  Tiffany Torregano’s evolution toward becoming the leader of the Montgomery High girls basketball team began last season.

Aztecs coach B.J. Filamor said Torregano filled in for injured senior Felicity Pet in a crucial game against Sweetwater, scoring 15 points in Montgomery’s 55-49 victory that determined the South Bay League championship.

This season, Torregano has taken over full time at point guard.

“She was a huge factor in us getting to the playoffs last year,” Filamor said. “She just took that opportunity and exploded. That was the one particular game that gave her the confidence she was looking for. She’s been a different player ever since.”

Torregano, a 5-foot-6 junior, has carried that confidence into this season as she takes over for Pet, who graduated after being named league Player of the Year.

“She had huge shoes to fill and is handling it just fine,” Filamor said.

Torregano’s propensity for passing has made for a seamless switch from shooting guard to point guard.

“She’s our best ballhandler, but also our top scorer,” Filamor said.

Last year, Torregano was asked to infuse energy and instant offense off the bench.

“Back then, it was always ‘shoot first’ for Tiffany,” Filamor said. “But I had a conversation with her after the season.”

That’s when Filamor told Torregano how her role on the squad would change. The scorer would be asked to run the offense.

“It was a huge step to take, but I like challenges,” Torregano said. “I knew I had to step my game up, grow up and become a leader.”

Torregano credited former teammates Pet and Britney Rose for helping her through her apprenticeship last season.

“Felicity and I would guard each other in practice all the time, which helped me a lot because seeing how she played has made me a better all-around threat,” Torregano said. “Britney taught me a lot defensively as far as how to pressure the ball and have a better understanding of the game.”

Although she still launches precision three-pointers, Torregano has improved on her shooting from inside the arc, too.

“She has a much better all-around shot now,” Filamor said. “She has better range from inside.”

Torregano’s performance will be key as Montgomery tries to improve on last year’s playoff run that reached the San Diego Section Division III semifinals. The Aztecs split their first six games this season.

“It really hypes me to dish a good pass and see one of my teammates score,” Torregano said.

Despite her smooth switch to point guard, Torregano remains a scorer at heart. She was asked whether she would rather score 20 points in a game or hand out 20 assists.